After a long race that spanned from February of 2019 until April of 2020, Senator Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) dropped out of the race on Wednesday, effectively handing the Democratic nomination to former Vice President Joe Biden.
Though the two were sometimes confrontational on the campaign trail, they remained civil and after Sanders exited the race, Biden issued a lengthy statement praising the progressive icon.
The former vice president said, “Bernie has put his heart and soul into not only running for President, but for the causes and issues he has been dedicated to his whole life.”
He added, “He hasn’t just run a political campaign; he’s created a movement. And make no mistake about it, I believe it’s a movement that is as powerful today as it was yesterday. That’s a good thing for our nation and our future.”
And to Bernie’s supporters: I know that I need to earn your votes. And I know that might take time. But I want you to know that I see you, I hear you, and I understand the urgency of this moment. I hope you'll join us. You're more than welcome: You're needed.
— Joe Biden (@JoeBiden) April 8, 2020
He continued, “Income inequality, universal health care, climate change, free college, relieving students from the crushing debt of student loans. These are just a few of the issues Bernie and his supporters have given life to. And while Bernie and I may not agree on how we might get there, we agree on the ultimate goal for these issues and many more.”
Biden also said that his campaign will address the issues that were important to Sanders and his supporters.
He said:
“We will address the existential crisis of climate change. We will confront income inequality in our nation. We will make sure healthcare is affordable and accessible to every American. We will make education at our public colleges and universities free. We will ease the burden of student debt. And, most important of all, we will defeat Donald Trump.”
Biden added that he will be reaching out to Bernie’s supporters as he works to defeat President Donald Trump, promising to “transform” the nation.